That the Parliament welcomes the announcement of the inaugural Rutherglen Book Festival, which is due to take place in autumn 2026 and will showcase a packed programme of free events for book lovers of all ages; understands that events at the festival will be free to attend thanks to funding from the principal Rutherglen 900 sponsor, Specsavers, and will be organised in collaboration with South Lanarkshire Leisure and Culture Libraries and Rutherglen 900 as part of the wider celebrations to mark the 900th anniversary of the town becoming a Royal Burgh; notes that the festival is due to open with the 900 Years of People and Place event, hosted by the Rutherglen Heritage Society, and will include contributions from the renowned comic artist Frank Quitely, crime writers Denise Mina and Callum McSorely, poet Michael Mullen and children’s author Clare Leonard; believes that the festival will provide a fantastic opportunity for people to come together and celebrate the stories, memories and creative talent linked to the town, and wishes the festival organisers all the very best for its success.
Supported by: Heather Anderson, Miles Briggs, Kate Campbell, Bob Doris, Patricia Gibson, Fulton MacGregor, Stuart McMillan, Paul Sweeney, David Torrance